History | Smithsonian

Now Streaming: Songs of the Met's Instruments

New audio recordings by the museum feature roughly 40 instruments, from Ming dynasty lute to the world’s oldest surviving piano

Long-Lasting Effects of the Iroquois Theater Fire

The deadly conflagration ushered in a series of reforms that are still visible today

Civil Rights Pioneer Dorothy Cotton Has Died

The late activist helped organize the Birmingham marches and educated the disenfranchised about their constitutional rights

How Alternate History Stories Reflect Real History

How the 200-year-old literary genre reflects changing notions of history and society

$2 Million World War II-Era Cash Hoard Found

The 30 bundles of £1 and £5 notes were likely stashed away amidst wartime uncertainty

Bad Weather Delayed the Norman Invasion of England

It’s 1066 and William of Normandy and his massive army of 14,000 men are preparing to cross the English Channel and invade England. But bad weather conditions force them to wait

How the Brits Refuted Nazis' ‘Degenerate Art' Show

The 1938 show celebrated works by German Expressionists, defended artists on world stage

Now Streaming: Songs of the Met's Instruments — Now Streaming: Songs of the Met's Instruments

New audio recordings by the museum feature roughly 40 instruments, from Ming dynasty lute to the world’s oldest surviving piano

Long-Lasting Effects of the Iroquois Theater Fire — Long-Lasting Effects of the Iroquois Theater Fire

The deadly conflagration ushered in a series of reforms that are still visible today

Civil Rights Pioneer Dorothy Cotton Has Died — Civil Rights Pioneer Dorothy Cotton Has Died

The late activist helped organize the Birmingham marches and educated the disenfranchised about their constitutional rights

How Alternate History Stories Reflect Real History — How Alternate History Stories Reflect Real History

How the 200-year-old literary genre reflects changing notions of history and society

$2 Million World War II-Era Cash Hoard Found — $2 Million World War II-Era Cash Hoard Found

The 30 bundles of £1 and £5 notes were likely stashed away amidst wartime uncertainty

Bad Weather Delayed the Norman Invasion of England — Bad Weather Delayed the Norman Invasion of England

It’s 1066 and William of Normandy and his massive army of 14,000 men are preparing to cross the English Channel and invade England. But bad weather conditions force them to wait

How the Brits Refuted Nazis' ‘Degenerate Art' Show — How the Brits Refuted Nazis' ‘Degenerate Art' Show

The 1938 show celebrated works by German Expressionists, defended artists on world stage

June 19, 2009

Why Juneteenth Celebrates the New Birth of Freedom

June 19, 2018 10:34AM

The Unheralded Pioneers of 19th-Century America Were Free African-American Families

June 18, 2018

How Daguerreotype Photography Reflected a Changing America

June 18, 2018

Why a Fire Broke Out at William the Conqueror's Coronation

World War I: 100 Years Later June 15, 2018

When America's Most Prominent Socialist Was Jailed for Speaking Out Against World War I

June 15, 2018

For 50 Years, José Feliciano's Version of the National Anthem Has Given Voice to Immigrant Pride

History of Now June 15, 2018

Why Are There Laws That Restrict What People Can Wear to the Polls?

June 14, 2018

Putting Enslaved Families' Stories Back in the Monticello Narrative

June 13, 2018

What if Napoleon Hadn't Lost Europe and Other Questions of Alternate History

June 12, 2018

The Iroquois Theater Disaster Killed Hundreds and Changed Fire Safety Forever

More Recent Stories »

SmartNews Keeping you current

June 19, 2018 3:56PM

Trending Today

The U.S. Military Has Been in Space From the Beginning

Einstein’s Travel Diaries Reveal His Deeply Troubling Views on Race

New Research

Where Did the Aztecs Get Their Turquoise?

Bacteria in Ancient Teeth Push Back Origins of the Bubonic Plague

How to Hear the Met’s Historic Instruments' Singular Sounds

Cool Finds

$2 Million in World War II-Era Cash Found Under Floor of Churchill's Tailor

More SmartNews Stories »

U.S. History

nw territory 1787

World History

Why a Fire Broke Out at William the Conqueror's Coronation

Archaeology

How Bad Weather Delayed the Norman Invasion of England

Featured History Videos

Malcolm X's Explosive Comments About Elijah Muhammed

An Up-Close Look at the Royal Regalia

This Major Military Operation Ignited the Vietnam War

Join Smithsonian Journeys on a trip to Italy

Subscribe

Save 84% off the newsstand price!

First & Last Name

First Name

Last Name

Address 1

Address 2

City / State

City

State

Zip

Email Address

Enter your email address